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VOL 28, NO. 1

SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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Inspiration and Perseverance

Dennis Walters:

Winner of the 2018 Bob Jones Award

P

erhaps none of the prior sixty-two award winners of the prestigious Bob Jones Award, the award presently annually by the USGA as its highest honor in “recognition of distinguished sportsmanship” has a story like that of New Jersey native, Dennis Walters.

On June 13th, Walters, who now lives in Jupiter, Florida but grew up in Neptune, NJ, will receive the award from one of his golfing heroes, Jack Nicklaus, who won the award himself in 1975, in a ceremony the night before the start of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Dennis Walters knows all about the value of perseverance. Walters was a promising amateur golfer from the Jersey Shore whose hopes of joining the PGA Tour were cut short on July 21, 1974 when a tragic golf car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But the 24-year old was determined to succeed in golf. continued on page 3

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Letter from the Editor Dear Readers,

Editor-in-Chief/Publisher........................................................ Marian Castner Graphic Design................................................................................... Daria Little Senior Writer..............................................................................Richard J. Skelly Contributing Writers.................................... Sean Fawcett, Lowell Schmidt Advertising.................................................. Marian Castner & Sean Fawcett Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved Visit us on our new website: www.njgolfnews.com Office: Golfer’s Tee Times Media Group • PO Box 163, Marlboro, NJ 07746-0163 Phone: (732) 577-1995 Email: editor@njgolfnews.com Golfer’s Tee Times welcomes editorial ideas and submissions by writing or email.

We assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials nor do we guarantee that work submitted will be published. Editorial & advertising inquiries should be addressed to: editor@njgolfnews.com Photo Credits: Thank you to: Cobblestone Creak Country Club, East Orange Golf Course, Dennis Walters, Fighting Irish Media, LPGA, New Jersey State Golf Association, PGA Tour, Ron Jaworski/JAWS Playbook, ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, The Jersey Golfer/Lowell Schmidt, and The Shore Club.

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ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BASH WORLD LONG DRIVE EVENT AT ATLANTIC CITY COUNTRY CLUB www.njgolfnews.com www.passportnjgolf.com (JUNE 4-5)

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The World Long Drive Association (WLDA), in partnership with the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) will host the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash on Monday June 4th and Tuesday June 5th at Atlantic City Country Club. The event, which initially was announced in January, will bring the longest hitters in the golf world to the Atlantic City region, with the televised portion of the event airing live in primetime that Tuesday evening on Golf Channel.

The event will feature a 32-man field competing in the Open Division based on World Long Drive rankings, along with a Women’s Division field of 16 competitors. Qualifying rounds will narrow the field to eight men and four women advancing to take part in the televised portion of the competition on Golf Channel.

“Atlantic City Country Club is thrilled to host the inaugural Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash,” said Frank Varallo, general manager of Atlantic City Country Club. “What an honor it is for us and this area, and it’s only fitting that the event be staged at our prestigious venue. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our remarkable history and showcase why we are the No. 1 daily fee golf course in New Jersey.”

The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash kicks off an eventful week for Atlantic City, as the LPGA Tour returns for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, being staged the same week in nearby Galloway, N.J.

So for those of us who endured the endless winter of 2018 in the northeast, by the time you read this issue, hopefully we are finally having warm Spring, or even early Summer weather.

Another golf season is here, and for the 28th consecutive year, we are excited to bring golf news from around the state to our readers.

In the first few months of 2018, we have already had several courses change ownership or are seeking new ways for their course to fit into today’s golf demographics.

I’m not really sure what was the “buzz” topic in the golf world in the offseason, perhaps it was the (partially) unexpected return of Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour. The baby boomers are still an integral part of country club membership and rounds played, but millennials approach their golf dollars, and even their golf newspaper reading, differently. The landscape of the golf industry is changing.

While the exact direction it takes over the next few years leads to some uncertainty in the industry, we still have an abundant amount of great golf courses within a hundred miles. We are lucky to have great options to play in New Jersey, and nearby Pennsylvania and New York. Take advantage of what they have to offer.

For spectators, we are very fortunate in New Jersey to have the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer outside of Atlantic City in early June and the Northern Trust, the first leg of the FedExCup playoffs at Ridgewood Golf Club in August. The Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square, PA, hosts its inaugural BMW Championship, the third leg of the FedExCup playoffs in early September. Once again, we have several opportunities to see many of the best players in the world, both men and women.

We hope you enjoy this new issue of the newspaper which features a wide range of articles that highlight several aspects of the golf world. As always, we are here to provide you unbiased news from local golf courses and golf community. We always encourage our readers to contact us with comments or if you are interested in discussing advertising opportunities in future issues.

We look forward to hearing from you this season.

Marian Castner

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Email: editor@njgolfnews.com, Office: 732-577-1995

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Dennis Walters: The Determination and Persistence behind the 2018 USGA Bob Jones Award winner

By Richard Skelly

Of that fateful day, Walters recalled he was going to meet his friend Ralph Terry, who was the head golf professional at Roxiticus Country Club in Mendham.

“I was going down a hill. I wasn’t going that fast so far as I recall. I hit the brakes and I don’t really remember anything else. Next thing I knew I was on the ground and couldn’t move,” Walters recalled of lying on the ground and couldn’t move. While club members rushed to Walters’ aid, he still ended up with permanent paralysis in the lower part of his body. After months in the hospital followed by rehabilitation, the hard, depressing reality sunk in that he would never play golf again, or would he?

Of his emotions during the winter of 1975, he recalled, “Whatever the lowest point a human can get to, that’s where I was. I was so mad and bewildered by the whole thing, I was enraged by the whole situation. I didn’t know what to make of it.”

His recuperation stretched on for several years, and by the spring of 1977, Walters was at work figuring out a way to design a golf cart with a swivel seat that would allow him to play golf again, a reflection of his steadfast determination not to let this setback affect the quality of the rest of his life.

A friend mounted a swivel seat on the side of a golf cart and Walters began to swing again. At that point in time, he never thought he could make a career in golf. “I was just trying to cope with what I considered to be a hopeless situation,” Walters explained.

“I found when I came to the golf course I felt better. It was good mental, spiritual and physical therapy for me. I was just trying to take away some of the pain I was feeling, trying to invent a way to play golf in a new way.”

“I had never seen anyone playing golf sitting down, from the seat to the clubs to how to swing the clubs, I spent thousands of hours trying to do that.”

By 1976, Walters decided to revisit the three golf courses that had held fundraisers for him because he thought it would be a good idea to go back and show them all he was still playing golf.

Walters, a 1967 graduate of Neptune High School, which counts musician/ part-time caddy Vini Lopez, USGA official Dick Rugge, Eagle Oaks teaching professional Wayne Warms and many other prominent golf professionals among its alumni, won the State Junior, the State Caddies’ Tournament and the Public Links Junior. He won all these tournaments in the space of two months in 1967 between high school and college.

“That year I caddied for Johnny Pott at the U.S. Open at Baltusrol. Although

he missed the cut, I’ll never forget, he gave me three dozen Spalding ‘Dot’ golf balls. When I played in those tournaments, I had a psychological advantage, because I knew my golf balls were not going to choke. They had played in the U.S. Open!”

In 1976, while still experimenting with shots off 3-foot tees that his father designed, using the swivel seated golf

years in vans and RV’s.

When his Dad was no longer able to help, Walters’ sister, Barbara, a retired New Jersey teacher, relocated to Jupiter, Florida and helps him run his burgeoning business. She still helps Dennis today as he prepares for his 41st year on Tour.

Asked about how his fascination with golf began, Walters cited Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune as critical in

cart to hit balls, Walters came across a film by trick shot artist / golfer Paul Hahn Sr. “He was the most famous trick shot guy of the 1950’s and 60’s,” he explained.

“I watched him at a tournament and said to my Dad, ‘Do you think you could make me a 3 foot high tee?’ When I went to a club one day and killed one off that tee, the crowd went nuts! Then I found this film with Paul Hahn in it and I watched it over and over again. I must have watched that film over 1,000 times.”

Initially, Walters picked out the shots he knew he could do, and, with the assistance of his father Bucky, mother Florence and sister Barbara, In 1977, he went out and did his first golf shot and trick shot presentations at the PGA Merchandise Show, which at that time was held at Disneyworld, where he performed along with renowned golf instructors, Bob Toski and Jim Flick.

“I didn’t really think a career would be possible. I didn’t have many bookings, but I was doing dozens of shows in the back of the driving range for my Dad, the birds and my dog.

I was getting better at it. That’s how it started,” he said.

Fortunately, Walters’ father, Bucky, not only lived to see his success as a top specialty golf shot presenter and life coach/ lecturer, he also accompanied him around the country for seventeen

his development.

“One day I was walking to school and I came across Jumping Brook. It was near my house. I had to go through the woods to get to it. It was about 100 yards of woods and before I even got to the golf course, I liked it, I saw deer and birds and a couple of squirrels and I popped out on the 18th tee and saw a guy hit a ball 250 yards and boy was I impressed,” he recalls.

“For an 8-year-old, how far can you throw a baseball or kick a football? So I went home and told my Dad what I had seen and I said, ‘I think when I get older I want to do that, too.’ I guess it was love at first sight.”

Asked about early teachers, Walters said formal golf lessons were not the norms in those days.

“My dad went to talk to the pro, and got me a set of golf clubs,” he recalled. He saved some money from my paper route and got a junior membership at Jumping

Brook for $100, and got “more than my money’s worth” for several seasons.

“Interestingly enough, I still have my first two golf clubs. The driver is a Robert Jones Junior driver that the pro, Johnny Alberti, cut down for me so I plan to bring it to USGA Awards ceremony. I have a special connection with Mr. Jones since day one of my golf career. How ironic? It’s going to be my little visual aide,” he explained.

“I started going over to Jumping Brook every day in the summer and continued to do that until I was about 12, when I got out of Little League. I started playing golf regularly with other kids and started caddying there. When I was 15, I started working over at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal. ” Walters credits Lou Barbaro, the head golf professional at Hollywood, as having a significant, lasting influence on his career in golf. Walters started out working for Barbero at Hollywood’s driving range and rose through the ranks to become his assistant professional.

“We’d pick up the range balls but were allowed to play golf every day, so by 6:01 p.m., we had everything cleaned up and were on the first tee,” Walters recalled.

“Lou was a great guy, a fabulous golfer, a fabulous personality and mentor to me. I learned a lot from him and was very close with him. I treasure the time I spent over at Hollywood. It’s still my favorite golf course of all time.”

Barbaro unfortunately passed away unexpectedly at age 60 in 1976.

After high school, he majored in business administration at North Texas State University in Denton, where he attended on a golf scholarship. [The school, now called the University of North Texas, is not only known for great golfers, but also for many famous jazz musicians who’ve honed their craft there.]

“I was going to go to college to play college golf and to prepare myself for my lifelong dream of playing successfully on the PGA Tour,” he added.

“I knew when I was 12 I wanted to play on the PGA Tour and I wanted to go someplace where I could play all year round. It was a good move.”

“I played for four years.

Our team played a conference tournament every year and my senior year there, I finished 11th in the U.S. Amateur,” he said noting back then, there were no mini-tours where one could transition over to the PGA Tour.

“There were very few tournaments you could play in back then if you

continued on page 15

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Q&A: Up and Coming Tour Professional Ryan McCormick

By Richard J. Skelly

In addition to Morgan Hoffmann, fans of golfers from the Garden State can now also root for young Ryan McCormick, the talented son of NJ PGA head professional Mark McCormick, who runs the golf operations at a classic private club, Suburban Golf Club in Union.

Ryan McCormick won the State Amateur at Baltusrol in Springfield and the Met Amateur at Hollywood Country Club in 2012. After two years on the PGA TourCanada in 2014 and 2015, where he finished 74th and 76th on the money list, McCormick racked up more than 240,000 miles in 2017 commuting to and from home in New Jersey and events on the Asian Tour. Last year, he estimated he earned about $20,000 on the Asian Tour.

In April on the Web. com Tour -- now the only means of entry for up-and-coming players onto the PGA Tour – McCormick tied for 11th at the Savannah Golf Championship, netting just over $12,000 for his efforts.

Golfer’s Tee Times spoke to Ryan McCormick while he was driving from Sarasota, Fla. to Oxford, Mississippi, in mid-April, before he played in the Northern Mississippi Open.

Thanks to support from a number of generous members at Suburban Golf Club in Union, where his father Mark McCormick is head professional, the 26-year-old is focusing in on eventually being successful on the PGA Tour. As anyone who knows his father can attest, his father has the mental and strategic side of competitive golf together. How else could a busy club professional like the left-handed elder McCormick qualify so many times for the U.S. Open?

Golfer’s Tee Times: Given your Dad is a longtime NJ PGA club professional, did you start playing golf when you were very young?

RYAN MCCORMICK: He was head professional up at Mount Tabor Country Club [in Parsippany-Troy

Hills.] We used to live in the clubhouse, where we had an apartment on the second floor. I think we moved out of there before my younger brother was born. I remember hitting balls into a net at the course during the winter, downstairs, indoors. I probably had a club in my hand as soon as I could walk. My younger brother played a little bit of golf growing up. He works for New Jersey PGA and runs their social media presence for the last year or so.

GTT: What appealed to you about golf? After your family moved to Middletown, where did you play most of your rounds, growing up?

RM: I probably played most at Howell Park and I remember playing in the club championship at Howell Park when I was 12 and 13. I played a lot at the county

courses.

The members have been great to me at Suburban but I didn’t really start playing a lot there until midway through high school. I think my Dad started at Suburban in 1999 or 2000.

GTT: What appealed to you most about golf?

RM: Being around it so much growing up, it’s hard to say. It was honestly a summer thing for me. I played a lot of baseball, basketball and soccer growing up. I guess because my Dad was playing I’d go out in the middle of the summer with him.

Before we moved to Middletown, we lived in Denville and we lived across the street from a guy named Pete Dachisen, who was Chris Dachisen’s father. He had a net in his backyard and pretty much taught me how to play and how to swing. He was the one who really got me into it.

GTT: Even though your father is tremendously supportive of your efforts now, does the reality of being a club professional prevent someone from spending that much time with your own son, teaching him how to play golf?

RM: Yeah. You know how the golf business is. When you’re a pro, you’re working seven days a week. It’s long hours.

GTT: Your father’s great gift, I think,is he’s got the mental and spiritual side of the game together. He’s able to get himself in “the zone.”

RM: Yes, he often plays better in the winter league than he does during some summers. But growing up in high school, I was playing a lot of basketball.

GTT: Where was high school for you?

RM: It was Mater Dei in the New Monmouth section of Middletown.

GTT: Has your father passed on tips about how to hypnotize yourself and get into a zone?

RM: Yes, we’ve never really talked much about technique my whole life. It was always about mentally, where was I, or how to get a better mindset out there. He worked with [mental golf coach] Bob Rotella early on, and he emphasized that to me when I began to play better in high school. A lot of times I would play in events in high school and then come home and we would chat about the round. I’d remember shots and he’d ask me about what I was thinking, and what I was feeling. Those kinds of things.

GTT: He was coaching you mentally and in terms of strategy and course management?

RM: Yes, that was it, more than it was about technique.

GTT: College for you was St. John’s University in Queens?

RM: I was fortunate and had a good junior year in high school and I had an opportunity to talk to coaches and get recruited by different schools. When it came down to it,it was a choice between Seton Hall, St. John’s and Louisville.My Dad really liked Louisville a lot and I loved it as well. When I was growing up the Seton Hall golf team was practicing at Suburban quite a bit and the coach of the basketball team would give us season tickets every year, so I grew up being a huge fan and going to all their basketball games.

But being that St. John’s was pretty close and most of the guys lived together and the golf coach Frank Darby, who coached there for twenty years, was pretty much hands off. He let everybody do their own thing, which I really liked, and they played a great schedule.

Fortunately I was going to school on a scholarship and I knew we were going to play a good schedule would get to play in all the events. I thought it would be a good experience. At that time, Andrew Svoboda [now on Web.com Tour] was playing the PGA Tour and Keegan Bradley was just getting started as well when I was getting started my freshman year. There were two guys coming out of the program that were having success,

so all of these things factored into my decision to end up going to St. John’s.

GTT: Did you major in Sports Management so you could fall back and wear other occupational hats after college?

RM: I enjoyed the program at school. I don’t really intend on using the degree. I was always into sports as a kid and we had a few really cool professors there at St. John’s. I enjoyed the program.

GTT: When you say you don’t plan on using the degree, what do you mean? You’re going to just keep focusing on being a competitive PGA Tour player?

RM: Yeah, I kind of plan on playing the PGA Tour. I’m still young enough. I’ve been focusing my energies on that.

GTT: Your profile on Web.com website says your favorite Tour Player is Matt Kuchar? Why is he your favorite?

RM: I admire him because he has a good attitude out there. He’s one of the most, if not the most, consistent players on the PGA Tour, year in and year out. He doesn’t do anything too flashy, he’s just good at everything and just keeps plugging along. Other guys hit it far or are great putters. I got to meet him at Olympic Club when my Dad played in the U.S. Open there. He’s just great and one of the nicest guys.

GTT: Your Web.com profile also says you also enjoy music and travel. It’s a good thing you enjoy travel, given your participation on the Asian tour in 2017?

RM: I played the Asian Tour last year and I logged in close to 250,000 miles total. I had some great experiences there.

GTT: You hit some other player in the head at a tournament in Thailand or Hong Kong?

RM: Yes, it was in Macou, close to Hong Kong. I was hitting a ball from a blind area toward the green and I didn’t know he was near the green and I ended up hitting him on the top of the head with a pitching wedge shot.

He was knocked out for about 20 minutes. It was a scary situation. He ended up getting up, proceeding to make a 30-foot putt from the fringe after waking up from being totally unconscious. He ended up making birdies on a couple of holes on the back nine. I was in disbelief!

GTT: Tell us about your interest in music?

RM: I grew up around [drummer] Vini Lopez [ McCormick’s caddie,] so I was always listening to Springsteen and Billy Joel and other classic rock. There was always music on at home and music on in the car.

I tried to play piano, very unsuccessfully, for a few minutes as a kid. I took two lessons as a 10-year old and it was kind of boring to me. I wish I had stuck with it!

GTT: Did your amateur victories in 2012 give you incentive to turn pro? Was your Dad supportive of this idea? What did he advise?

RM: I don’t think we every really talked about it. I worked really hard on my game in the winter of 2011 and the spring of 2012, and set some really lofty goals.

As an alumnus of St. John’s, I worked with Mike Diffley at Pelham Country Club [north of the Bronx,] and we worked pretty hard on my short game. He really helped me that last year in college and then as an alumnus.

GTT: What’s the best you’ve been able to do on the mini tours? There are opportunities out there for people like you and Andy Svoboda and Keegan Bradleyon these mini tours. You’re on the Web.com Tour now, but you can also play in other mini tour events, correct?

RM: It’s a complicated system. We don’t need to get too far into that. But the PGA Tour changed the qualifying school about six years ago. It used to be you could sign up and if you got through Q school you’d be playing the PGA Tour. Now you can only get on the PGA Tour through the Web.com Tour. It’s kind of the equivalent continued on page 15

SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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5

Renovated East Orange Golf Course Enjoys Renaissance with Affordable Green Fees

By Richard J. Skelly

While its address might read Short Hills, NJ, where property taxes, the cost of living and even green fees are on the higher side than many other parts of the state, golfers of all levels can take advantage of the redesigned, and affordable hidden gem at the East Orange Golf Course.

The course is actually located in Millburn and is situated on land owned by the city of East Orange and its water reservoir, which dates back to the 1800’s. The large body of water can be seen and actually can come into play on a few holes.

The renovation and redesign of this historic tract was orchestrated by forward thinking officials in the City of East Orange. Since it officially reopened in the Spring of 2015, the golf course and driving range have turned into a source of civic pride and a healthy revenue stream for the City of East Orange.

New Jersey’s renowned golf course architect Stephen Kay, who has designed other New Jersey gems like The Architect’s Club, Blue Heron Pines, Harbor Pines and Scotland Run, along with countless redesigns, was contracted to do the renovation work, which included building two new holes, a new and expanded driving range, putting green, irrigation system, work on the tees, greens and bunkers and a new 6,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. The clubhouse includes the addition of the Par 440 Restaurant & Lounge.

Back in 2013, Kay explained, he got a call from Valerie Jackson, Director of Special Projects for the City of East Orange.

“I met with Valerie for a breakfast meeting and I went over to the golf course to have a look at it,” Kay explained.

“I did a bunch of different drawings and plans to do different things with the golf course. We also discussed building a driving range, and if they did do a driving range, was it going to be across the street, which was densely wooded, and it would be costly to build? There was apprehension from the town engineer about having people cross the street in golf cars or walking across a busy street. Another option was that they could build a driving range where the golf course was. The problem was the golf course would drop in yardage to below 6,000 yards, it was a par 71 or 72 prior to the renovation,” he explained.

Ultimately, it was decided that having a par 70 golf course playing to just under 6,000 yards would help turn the facility into a sought-after course for busy executives, beginners and groups of seniors, women and junior golfers.

“Among the benefits is that a par 70 course of around 6,000 yards would enable golfers to play faster and have better scores,” Kay said.

“We thought that’s the way golf is trending. National Golf Foundation studies showed that many people quit playing golf because it took too long. By being a shorter course, we felt it would be played in less than 4 hours and even less than 3.5 hours, even on Saturdays. Once it re-opened, people were shooting better scores, and rounds increased tremendously,” Kay explained.

The original East Orange Golf Club dates back to 1926 and was designed by noted course architect Tom Bendelow. Kay found old aerial photos of the course, which guided him and the Turco Golf [golf course shaping company] in restoring greens, tees and bunkers to their original sizes and locations. All greens were reseeded and grown back to their original size and all tees were reseeded and laser leveled, Kay pointed out.

The day-to-day management of the course lies in the capable hands of Juan Casiano, a former student of Kay’s at the Rutgers Turfgrass Management Program. As both the General Manager and greens superintendent since renovations began in 2015, he

loves what he does and where he works.

“Having both the GM and superintendent role is challenging, mainly because I’m not just responsible for the operations side of things, but also overseeing what’s happening on the grounds side,” Casiano explained.

There are many selling points for the facility, Casiano pointed out, especially as far as greens fees and driving range use are concerned.

“There’s no stipulation as to where you live, you can be from Morris, Essex, Atlantic County, wherever.

If you’re an avid golfer and want to play our course a lot, it makes sense to buy our discount card,” Casiano explained.

Without the discount card, golfers would pay $43 weekday and $45 on weekends, but with it, they pay only $27 during the week and $32 on weekends. A 9-hole rate is also offered at $25.

Casiano credited special projects coordinator Jackson, former Mayor Lester Taylor III and current

Mayor Ted Green for their support in helping make the rebirth an on-going success.

“The East Orange resident and municipal employee discount card allows players a 25 percent discount. If you’ve an avid golfer and want to play golf two or more times a week, it makes sense to buy the discount card for $60,” Casiano stated.

Casiano is an alumnus of Stockton State University and has worked at the famed Atlantic City Country Club, Blue Heron Pines, Stone Harbor Golf Club and Richmond County Club in Staten Island. He ran track and field in college, and the golf bug bit him while he was working in golf course maintenance.

“I started playing a lot more golf when I worked at Richmond County on Staten Island,” he said, noting that’s when he decided to go to Rutgers’ Turf school program in New Brunswick.

When asking Kay about what he is proudest of with the East Orange Golf Club project, he responded, “I think East Orange is the perfect example of what municipal golf should be,” Kay explained. “It shouldn’t be too difficult. It should be an affordable and playerfriendly experience.

“I am proud that I played a role in restoring a golf course that was closed. It has an entire new irrigation system. We have new grass on all the green, the greens got enlarged and we have new tees and a new driving range. We did all of that within a relatively modest budget, and the feedback from golfers has been very gratifying,” Kay said.

“As an architect, I like to have projects like this because I grew up as a municipal, public golfer. I feel I have a responsibility to golfers and future golfers that is furthered by projects like this.”

Experience the new

EAST ORANGE GOLF COURSE. East Orange has undergone a comprehensive restoration, including new bent grass greens, newly rebuilt bunkers, tee boxes, a new practice range and the new Par 440 Restaurant & Lounge.

With Season Passes beginning at just $500 and daily play Discount Cards available for $60*, there’s no better value than East Orange Golf Course. Come see why everything old at East Orange is new again.

Call (973) 379-7190 for tee times and information about 2018 Season Passes and Discount Cards*

East Orange Golf Course 440 Parsonage Hill Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078 *East Orange residents and employees receive a 25% discount on Season Passes, or a flat daily fee rate of $18 for weekdays and $20 for weekends.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Inside Golf Celebrates Twentieth Season

By Sean Fawcett

for eagle

For those who want a challenge, for those who want to hone their game, for those who desire a breathtaking view—we’ve got a course for that. Twelve of them, actually.

SEEK FOR YOURSELF. ulstercountyalive.com

If you’re a golfer, or a golf fan, or both like me, and you live in South Jersey or the Philadelphia area, you’ve probably seen Comcast TV’s award winning golf show Inside Golf. In its 20th season, Comcast SportsNet’s longest running sports program, hosted by longtime KYW News Radio morning anchor, and Temple University football and basketball announcer, Harry Donahue, gives thousands of fans weekly insights to area golf courses with valuable and educational tips sprinkling entertaining stories for all to enjoy all through the year.

A 30-minute magazine style program airs a minimum of five times a week, generally on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays on Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Network with archived episodes available to view anytime at www.insidegolf.net.

“We are the longest running sports show on Comcast TV,” said Donahue, Inside Golf’s fourth host who’s been hosting Inside Golf for the past seven years. “Our goal is to spotlight area golf courses and vacation destinations while providing playing tips, golf news and lively discussions about the game we all love.”

Inside Golf began in 1990s in a partnership with the Philadelphia Section PGA to promote their Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware professionals and golf courses.

Inside Golf follows a tried-and-true television format with Donahue and the cast visiting various golf courses featuring course tours and interviews with the course professionals and management staff. Each course gets to show off its facilities while detailing the course’s history and renovations.

Playing tips are provide by from Kennett Square head golf professional, and former Philadelphia PGA. Section president, Tom Carpus and Inside Golf’s Director of Instruction, PGA golf professional, Lou Guzzi. Dozens of the reviews are available on their website.

Golf professional Leila Mackie, Inside Golf’s newest star, adds to the fun with unique and enlightening

human interest stories.

A five minute panel titled “Teed Off”, is led by Donahue, and oftentimes includes Carpus and Guzzi, The Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Mark Peterson, and guest golf writers like myphillygolf.com’s Joe Logan, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Joe Juliano, www.philly. com’s Mike Kern, or golf legend PGA professional, and author, Bob Sheppard, play in the show’s final 10 minutes.

Topics of the “Tee’d Off” segments surround the happenings from the PGA, Champions and LPGA tours, plus historical and topical debates, Philadelphia PGA Section and GAP news, news about USGA and R&A rules, rulings and rules changes, equipment, and many hot-button initiatives of the day like Pace of Play, Tee it Forward and The PGA Junior League that affect everyday, recreational, and youth golfers everywhere.

Current “Tee’d Off” editions are taped at the historic Blue Bell Inn in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The Blue Bell Inn is owned by the owners of Bluestone Country Club, formerly Meadowlands Country Club, in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

“The ‘Tee’d Off’ segments are very popular with our audience,” said Donahue. “We usually tape about six or seven different segments at a shooting.

They are a lot of fun. It’s one of my favorite parts of the show.”

“We’re very excited, and proud, to have been able to highlight golf in the Philly region,” said Inside Golf’s 20year Producer Ken Selinger. “We’ve had a terrific run, so far, and we’re looking forward to keep on promoting and growing the game in our Section, which is one of the oldest, and best areas for golf in the whole country.”

For more than two decades, Inside Golf has provided the south Jersey and Philadelphia area golfers insightful and often ‘must-see” golf television.

With the slogan of “no matter how bad it’s going, don’t pick up”, let’s hope that Inside Golf keeps right on driving along for another twenty more fun and fantastic seasons.

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New Jersey State Golf Association Inducts Inaugural Class into its Hall of Fame

By Richard J Skelly

The New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA) proudly held its inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremonies to recognize great amateurs in the history of Garden State golf. The event drew a crowd of several hundred amateurs, professionals and golf enthusiasts to the spacious ballroom at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in early May. NJSGA Executive Director Kevin Purcell addressed the crowd and introduced various presenters and a short video recapping the accomplishments of the inductees.

really saw what Bob was made of. His class, and his character, would show through,” Small argued.

“He was certainly my mentor and I know I would not be what I am today without Bob Housen. His influence throughout the state is incredible,” he said, citing Housen for his work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and his work with his church.

Housen credited his wife Marjorie, his children and his grandchildren as well as fellow members of Manasquan River who were in attendance. He also credited Eagle Oaks Country Club teaching professional Wayne Warms for helping him launch his charitable organization, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes thirty-seven years ago.

“I’ve got a pretty good foursome,” Housen concluded in his short-but-proper acceptance speech.

“I’ve got faith, family, friends and God.” In total, sixteen were inducted into the NJSGA Hall of Fame. “We are happy to celebrate the game of golf in New Jersey and tonight we will honor two U.S. Open champions, Byron Nelson and Johnny Farrell, NJSGA champion Vic Ghezzi,” Frese said. “Also one of the most celebrated golf course architects in history, A.W. Tillinghast, who had an office here in New Jersey for more than 25 years, the trailblazer African-American John Shippen; journalist Arthur (Red) Hoffman, who spent years writing about golf in New Jersey, and we also recognize contributors such as Dr. Ralph Engel from Rutgers who contributed to our knowledge of turfgrass science, Nelson MacDonald, a war hero who created our caddy scholarship fund and Billy Dear, who was very generous with the caddy scholarship fund and a bevy of Of those inducted, only Bob Housen of Brielle is among the living, but even he other nationally known and internationally known amateurs are also being honored joked, “if you’re gonna induct me, you better do it soon!” including Charlotte Glutting, Maureen Orcott, Carolyn Cudone, Chet Sanok, Jerry Bob Wischusen served as the Master of Ceremonies, which also included brief Travers, Charles Whitehead and of course, one of the greatest of them all, Bob remarks from NJSGA President Bill Frese, and Eric Houseknecht, co-chair of the Housen,” Frese said.

NJSGA Hall of Fame Committee and the NJSGA Vice-President.

Housen was introduced by one of his long-time fellow competitors, amateur golfer “extraordinaire,” Allan Small. Small was the first golfer in NJSGA history to win the NJSGA Amateur Championship, Mid-Amateur Championship and Senior Amateur Championship.

The Brielle resident and long-time member of Manasquan River Country Club played on twenty-four NJSGA Compher Cup teams, is a seven-time winner of the State Pre-Senior Championship, and two-time Met Senior Amateur champion. In 2010, he won the Super Senior Division of the Met Amateur. With his father, Housen won the Father-Son Championship four times and with his son Chris Housen, he has also won the same event.

Housen also excelled at the national level, qualifying for six U.S. Senior Opens, making the cut in four and finishing as low amateur twice. He has competed in a total of 15 USGA events.

Small recalled being paired together with Housen for the first time in 1986.

“It’s certainly a pleasure to watch Bob all these years, and Bob won a lot,” he said.

“I watched him win with his putter, I watched him win with his irons, but mostly I watched Bob win with his mind and his heart,” Small said.

“But Bob didn’t always win. Sometimes Jeff Thomas and the occasional college hot shot would come along and beat us all. But when Bob didn’t win, that’s when you In thanking Purcell for having a vision for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony/ awards idea, Frese also cited the Hall of Fame election committee for evaluating nominees and doing research on all individuals prior to their approval for induction into the Hall of Fame.

Eric Houseknecht spoke briefly saying, “One of the great things about the game of golf is that golf has better writers and more literature than any other sport,” he noted.

“With the advent of the internet there are many websites devoted to golf history and golf architecture. Golfers in general have a greater sense of history than participants in many other sports,” he argued.

“We golfers have a higher rate of participation in our sport’s history than any other sport,” Houseknect said.

“It can be argued that the game of golf as we know it today with its longstanding ideals of sportsmanship, integrity, tradition of charity and the constant pursuit of self-improvement, has come to its present state because successive generations of golfers have preserved its history and passed along the ideals of the game to younger generations. It’s in this spirit that we encourage all of you to become active participants in celebrating New Jersey’s golf history.”

Bob Housen and Thurman Simmons, representing inductee John Shippen and John Shippen Youth Academy

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USGA Ready to Roll with many Rules Changes

By Richard Skelly

While changes to the rules of golf don’t officially take effect until Jan. 1, 2019, some golf courses and amateur golf leagues around the state have already modified their local rules in accordance with the changes the USGA announced earlier this year.

What was unprecedented about the 2019 modification of several rules was the widespread input that was sought by golf’s two major rule-making bodies, the Far Hillsbased United States Golf Association and the St. Andrews, Scotland-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club. After a long process of receiving feedback from players all over the world, the two rule-making bodies evaluated the feedback and opinions and attempted to incorporate them into the changes that go into effect next January.

“We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback,” said Thomas Pagel, USGA’s Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status in a news release from the USGA. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new rules ahead of the education process and their implementation.”

Golfer’s Tee Times spoke with Joe Foley, Manager of Rules, Outreach and Programming at the USGA. He stressed how useful it was to hear from golfers via snail mail, fax, e-mail and telephone messages from all over the world.

While there are some gray areas as to the enforcement of the new rules and where to draw the lines. Do they apply equally to amateurs, raw beginners and juniors, seniors, club professionals, women’s leagues and of course, your mini tour and PGA Tour players?

“In 2019, we’re going to allow golf committees out there to institute the local rule as an alternative to stroke and distance,” Foley said.

“As you know, stroke and distance is quite a severe penalty. It requires someone to go back and play from where they played from last, if they haven’t hit a provisional ball,” he said, noting this rule change is not intended for those in higher levels of competition.

“It is not intended for professional or elite competitions but certainly at the club level or local level, it will allow someone to just drop their ball in the area where they lost their ball or where it went out of bounds.”

“It’s a local rule. It’s not in force all the time, and it’s something the committee or course needs to put into effect. Basically you’ll estimate where you lost that ball or where it went out of bounds, you go to the nearest point on the fairway, your fairway reference point, no closer to the hole, and you’re able to drop within two club lengths of that point with a penalty of two strokes,” he said. That’s still fairly penal, but one doesn’t have to worry about going all the way back to the tee, whether walking or in a golf cart and potentially slowing down the pace of play on the course.

Another time saving change applies to beginners and even intermediate amateurs who are doing badly on a hole. Under this change, a golfer who has reached double par has the option to pick up.

“It’s called the maximum score form of stroke play,” Foley said. “It can be used by beginners or recreational and casual play, perhaps a men’s or ladies league if they feel it would be helpful for pace of play reasons.”

In Stableford scoring, Foley said, you get a fixed point number for a score you get on a given hole. This new option to pick-up rule will speed up play in leagues made up of beginners, juniors, seniors and some leagues.

“If you get two times par or double bogey or triple bogey, just go ahead and pick up,” he said, “so we can eliminate those really high scores” that lead to longer rounds and longer outing days.

Prior to this year, the last time golf underwent substantial rules changes was in 1984.

Prior to that it was in 1952, Foley explained. It seems to happen just about every 30 years, he noted, though it’s not intentional.

“What’s cool about this USGA modernization project is we’re now recognizing all these different forms of play. So you’ll see in the new book of rules, there will be support for these other forms of play as opposed to maybe just a few that the really elite players would play,” he explained.

There are no mentions of scrambles or best-ball play in the current rules book, Foley continued, but starting next year, “we’ll be able to give some guidance to committees conducting competitions under these forms of play. With our new rules, we’re recognizing that there are many people playing this great game with this particular format, so let’s give them some guidance. That’s what the new rules will do.”

1952 was the first time both the R&A and USGA settled on a set of universal rules that would apply to golfers no matter which side of the Atlantic Ocean they were playing on.

In 1984, a few other minor rules changes were introduced.

Not surprisingly, Foley worked in education with New York City charter schools prior to coming t o the USGA. He grew up playing public golf in northern Westchester County.

“My background is really in business. I was passionate about education and education

reform and golf was always a lifelong passion of mine,” Foley related when asked about how he came to USGA, “I’ve always been a huge golfer and stayed up on the rules of golf.”

Asked about the year-long process of getting feedback from thousands of golfers around the world, Foley said the USGA’s offices received over 30,000 points of feedback.

Since 2012, a working group of USGA and R&A staff, committee members, professional tour officials and other rules experts have been examining both the substance of the Rules and how they are written.

“We heard from people in over 100 countries. After the feedback period ended last summer, we took all that back and ingested it into the review process and thought about the proposed rules changes in the context of what people thought, and asked, can’t we modify this rule a little bit,” he related.

Many who watch PGA Tour golf on TV have seen great players waste a lot of time at golf tournaments as they repeatedly drop a ball from shoulder height. With the new rule, they simply drop from knee height.

It was the feedback from golfers helped shape the new rule about no longer having to drop for a lost or out-of-bounds ball in a drop area from shoulder height, Foley said.

“There were two things that changed because of feedback we received, and one of them was the dropping procedure,” Foley explained.

“Last year we released a proposed change where you could drop from any height. After we heard feedback, we decided it was best to be dropping the ball from knee height,” he said to ensure consistency and simplicity in following the rules. The thinking was dropping from knee height preserves the randomness of the drop.

“Everyone is going to be dropping from knee height,” he said, “there were also concerns with measurements we’re using when taking relief from an obstruction or a hazard. The proposed rule was 20 inches or 80 inches, and we got a lot of feedback from golfers on that. Why 20 or 80 inches when golfers already have clubs in their bag?”

So the final rule for taking relief is going back to the old familiar two club lengths.

“But the change here is we’re going to let someone use the longest club in their bag other than the putter.” This rule change recognizes the new longer length putters that have been allowed by the USGA in recent years and that some Tour players and amateurs use.

Golfers will now be formally allowed to repair spike marks on putting greens in tournament play as they repair ball marks now. Golfers in less formalized social settings do not need to remove the flagstick when putting.

Most seasoned golfers have hit the ball twice when making a chip shot or sometimes even out of a bunker; under the new rules, penalties for a double hit are removed.

There will also be no penalty for removing loose impediments in a bunker or touching the sand with a club. Under new rules, golfers can give themselves a lift out of a bunker – who hasn’t encountered shoddy bunkers made into hardpan by heavy rain washouts at courses -- no closer to the hole.

“The process of getting feedback included the professional tours, representatives from state and regional golf associations, and other industry stakeholders who are leaders in the game,” Foley said.

“All of the representatives have been heard from in this process, from key leaders in the game as well as from the general golfing public.”

“We had collaboration from across the industry and now the next months are critical for us, because we now have to take these rules and educate golfers about changes,” Foley explained.

“For all of that, we’re referring people to www.USGA.org/Rules, all that information will be posted there,” he said, noting there, golfers can find streaming videos that demonstrate rule changes.

One rules change that will take effect this year is the end of the 18-hole Monday playoff at the USGA’s Open championships. Should there be a tie after the fourth round at this year’s U.S. Open, which will be played at the gorgeous Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, the players shall go on to a simple two-hole aggregate playoff. Should the tie continue, the winner will be decided in a sudden-death playoff, bringing it more in line with the other major championships.

Finally, most readers already know, the USGA handicap system is being partially revamped. The new universal handicap system is planned to roll out on Jan. 1, 2020, Foley explained.

“It’ll be the same handicap system so that no matter what country you are from – England, U.S., Germany, Australia, Argentina – you can be playing against other people from those countries and do it on an equitable basis. It really helps to globalize the game.”

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Ron Jaworski Hosts the 34th Annual Celebrity Golf Challenge

By Marian Castner

The tireless philanthropic work of Ron Jaworski and the Jaws Youth Playbook continues, with the support of more than 50 sponsors including, Delta, Ketel One Vodka, Genesis and Amtrak when Jaworski hosts, the 2018 Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge in late June.

The annual event, hosted in partnership with the NFL Alumni Association, brings together Jaworski and his celebrity friends including current and past NFL players, to benefit the JAWS Youth Playbook, an organization that promotes health and wellness for at-risk kids in under-served communities, as well as the NFL Alumni’s “Caring for Kids” and “Caring For Our Own” charities.

Ron Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, ESPN football analyst of the Sunday NFL Countdown & NFL Match-Up, and longtime community philanthropist and fundraiser is very involved with his foundation.

His management company currently owns and operates seven golf courses in the south Jersey/ surrounding Philadelphia area.

The Celebrity Golf Challenge raises over $150,000 each year through various sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds go to the JAWS YOUTH PLAYBOOK (JYP). The JYP defines its mission as supporting programs which “improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. JYP does this by raising awareness and advocating for the access to safe play and healthy choices, and supporting programs providing positive youth health and wellness platforms.” JYP focuses on three Pillars of: Environment (access to play and physical play spaces), Nutrition and advocacy. Some examples of programming JYP supports under each pillar.

Not only has the Celebrity Golf Challenge grown each year, but also the charity recipients have increased. Over the past couple of years, the events partnership with the NFL Alumni has increased as Jaworski’s charities and NFL Alumni have worked together to help both local urban youth programs supporting programs. At the same time, Jaworski and his fellow NFL alumni support the many who are suffering various physical and emotional issues in their post NFL careers.

“I’m thrilled to be able to unite this great cause with the NFL Alumni Association. Working together has made a bigger impact across the board,” said Jaworski, who serves as Chairman of the Board for the NFL Alumni Foundation.

This year’s event includes the Pairings & Cigar Party (with silent auction) at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City on Sunday night, June 24th, followed by the Kickoff Celebrity-Am on Monday morning, June 25th, at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, one of Jaworski’s properties. In the afternoon, spectators are invited to watch the Closing Drive Celebrity-Am, featuring four amateurs paired with a celebrity to compete in a scramble-style tournament.

The golf course festivities are always fun to watch. As always, Jaworski gathers a great collection of current and retired sports figures, coaches and broadcast personalities.

This marks the 34th anniversary of this exciting fundraiser, a fundraising longevity that is rare to find.

Limited sponsorship packages and playing opportunities are still available.

The Celebrity-Am and Closing Drive Celebrity-Am is open to spectators at Blue Heron Pines on June 25th.

Picture: Courtesy of Ron Jaworski/ JAWS Playbook

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The ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer Returns with “Something for Everyone” to the Atlantic City area

By Marian Castner

There’s something for everyone when it comes to the ShopRite LPGA Classic Junior Golf Show on Saturday afternoon, June 9th at 2:30pm.

Presented by Acer, which returns for the ninth consecutive year on the Bay Course Black Bear will again be sponsoring the new Family Fun Zone, which includes at the historic Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club from June 4-10. face-painting, large inflatables and a Putting Green area. The new Golf Zone As always, this is one of the most popular LPGA stops of the year, and many of features a swing simulator, Virtual Reality technology and putting course, as well the top players on the LPGA will be playing again this year. In-kyung Kim looks to as hitting nets with complimentary golf lessons from members of the Philadelphia defend her title, and will be joined by top several past champions Anna Nordqvist, section PGA. The tournament boasts over 400 corporate Stacy Lewis, Karrie Webb and Christie Kerr. sponsors and the largest pro-am in golf— The 144-player field will compete for a record more than 1,500 rounds played over two days $1.75million purse. on three of south Jersey’s best golf courses-the Bay and Pines courses at the Seaview “Our list of defending champions includes and Galloway National Golf Club. Kia, some of the most recognizable names in Tito’s, Borgata Hotel & Spa, and Snapple are professional golf and we’re always excited to returning sponsors. welcome them back to South Jersey,” said Tim Erensen, executive director of the tournament.

One of the mission’s of the LPGA continues to be keeping the ticket and To review a little history of the tournament, concession prices reasonably priced and this will be the twentieth time that Stockton attractive for families. Admission to the Seaview Hotel and Golf Club will host the Monday qualifier, practice rounds and the three-day, 54-hole event, dating back to 1986.

Pro-Ams are free to the public. The Friday Over the years, many LPGA Tour legends have through Sunday ticket prices range from $15 won and played in the tournament. This year’s for daily admission, to $30 for a weekly pass commitments include will include nine of the or $60 for a weekly clubhouse pass, which past eleven major winners including Pernilla includes access to the Stockton Seaview Resort. For the ninth straight year, 100% Lindberg, Danielle Kang, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson and In Gee Chun. of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the tournament’s more than twenty five Natalie Gulbis, a long-time fan favorite on the LPGA TOUR has accepted a benefitting charities. TheAtlantiCare Foundation, Richard Stockton University of New Jersey Foundation (including scholarships and endowment for internships), sponsor exemption to this year’s tournament.. and Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Southern Branch are just a few of these Since it became the title sponsor of the Classic more than twenty-five years charities. ago, the Wakefern Food Company (aka ShopRite) has donated over $32 million to “We are grateful that the support of ShopRite, our fans and our corporate partners charity through its sponsorship of this event. allow us to benefit many charities in our local community,” added Erensen. “We The Seaview has more than one hundred years of history in south Jersey. In are proud to give back to the organizations that help support causes throughout our 1914, Clarence H. Geist, a public utility magnate, founded the original golf course home in South Jersey.” and resort. Designed by Hugh Wilson (who also designed the courses at Merion Golf Club), the Bay Course opened in 1915. The following year, famed golf course Tickets are available online at www.shopritelpgaclassic.com. Children age 17 designer Donald Ross completed the course. After some renovations by Bob Crupp and under are admitted free. Other popular promotions include ShopRite Plus Jr. in 1998, and other recent renovations in the past few years, the Bay Course now Card Members can simply show their card at the entrance gate and receive two free tickets each day, and all service personnel (military, fire and police) will be plays as a par 71, 6,247 yards course from the back tees. admitted free of charge throughout the Tournament with proper ID and can also Dating back to the 1980s, the resort and golf courses were owned by the freely access the new Patriots’ Pavilion, presented by Kleenex, hospitality structure Marriott Corporation, but it changed when the property was sold to LaSalle Hotel on the 9th hole.

Properties. For several years, Dolce Hotels and Resorts managed the property for La Salle. In late 2010, LaSalle sold to the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Year in and year out, the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, prides itself (now Stockton University). Wyndham Hotels Worldwide acquired Dolce in 2015 on being “something for everyone. Along with more than $19 million in economic impact to the area each year, the tournament gives the greater Atlantic City region a and still manages the property. wonderful way to showcase itself. Everyone associated with this tournament makes Tournament week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is always it one of the favorite LPGA Tour stops of the year! special. The week will include several exciting events and fan opportunities, including the always popular, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Photo courtesy of the ShopRite LPGA Classic

Schedule of Events (All times subject to change) Monday, June 4

Thursday, June 7

Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission)

7:00 a.m. - ShopRite Pro-Am, Day Two (All Day)

Purse: $1.75 million, $262,500 winner’s check

1:00 p.m. - LPGA Qualifier (open to the public)

Friday, June 8

Course: Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, ay Course

Tuesday, June 5

7:15 a.m. - ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented

by Acer - Round one (All Day)

8:00 a.m. - Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission)

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Black Bear Family Fun Zone

Wednesday, June 6

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Live Coverage on Golf Channel

7:00 a.m. - ShopRite Pro-Am, Day One (All Day)

Saturday, June 9

2:00 p.m. - Women’s Executive Day Presented by NJ Golf Foundation and Horizon BCBSNJ (invite only)

7:15 a.m. - ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented

by Acer - Round two (All Day)

Format: Three days, 54-hole stroke play Field: 144 players

6:30 p.m. - Pro-Am Celebration (invite only)

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Black Bear Family Fun Zone

2:30 pm - Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ Junior Golf Show (Seaview Driving Range) Free of charge to all Saturday ticket holders and their children!

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Live Coverage on Golf Channel Sunday, June 10 9:40 a.m. - ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented

by Acer - Final round (All Day) 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Black Bear Family Fun Zone 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Live Coverage on Golf Channel Award ceremony immediately following play

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Lawrenceville’s Landmark Greenacres Country Club Re-imagined and Rebuilt as Cobblestone Creek Country Club

Multi-million-dollar makeover features new Bobby Weed-designed golf course, health/wellness-centered resort setting, premier tennis and aquatic facilities, and renowned Executive Chef Greenacres Country Club, offering Princeton-area residents the finest amenities, dining and service since 1938, announces its reinvention as Cobblestone Creek Country Club. The result of a multi-million-dollar investment, the relaunched country club features a new golf course designed by legendary architect Bobby Weed, a fully renovated health and wellness-focused resort setting (beginning with the completely redecorated main floor), a revamped aquatic facility, and the addition of renowned Executive Chef Christopher Krail.

The transition from Greenacres to Cobblestone Creek Country Club represents an absolute conceptual shift from a traditional country club to a health- and wellness-centric destination. The club offers a complete lifestyle experience and family-friendly atmosphere with resort amenities including golf, tennis, swimming

needs. The entirely renovated and redecorated main clubhouse level, featuring a new casual dining area, bar and ballroom, provides members with modern fare and social facilities which complement the club’s long-standing reputation for exceptional cuisine and service.

Executive Chef Christopher Krail has spent more than 30 years honing his craft in a variety of notable restaurants and resorts. Krail spent two decades at the prestigious Montclair Golf Club serving as Executive Chef for 10 years. Previously, he was Chef Poissonier at The Lodge at Ko’ele in Lana’I, Hawaii, and Chef Saucier at Top of the Hub Restaurant & Skywalk in Boston. A culinary prodigy, he began working as a prep cook at age 14 and cooking in professional kitchens at age 16.

He then attended The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College and The Culinary

and fitness. The transformation features new programs that focus on health, fitness and nutrition and a “Town Center” providing culinary, cultural, educational and recreational programs which will be introduced to members throughout the season.

“Cobblestone Creek is a totally new country club,” said Howard Deutsch, President. “We completely reimagined and rebuilt it in response to our members’ casual, health-oriented lifestyles to provide an experience that goes far beyond the traditional country club.”

The new Cobblestone Creek 18-hole championship golf course was designed

by Bobby Weed, one of America’s premier golf course architects. Weed, a longtime collaborator with famed architect Pete Dye, has created a magnificent course filled with intricate features, clusters of smaller bunkers, and rolling bent grass greens and surrounds. The course also features brand-new, state-of-the-art practice areas covering over seven acres of rolling terrain.

“I designed the Cobblestone Creek course to be challenging for the low handicap golfer and highly enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels,” said Weed. “And, it’s the best walking course I have ever seen. It is perfect for the growing number of golfers who more and more prefer to walk rather than ride.”

With over 30-plus years of experience, PGA Golf Professionals Michael LaBrutto and Chrissy Caramma are dedicated to improving each member’s golf game with private and group lessons, specialized golf schools, on-course playing lessons, short game clinics, video swing analysis and expert club fitting.

New dining and social facilities serve superb cuisine to suit all member

Institute of America.

“I’ve created the club menu to reflect the lifestyle and palette of our healthminded members,” said Chef Krail. “My philosophy blends modern and traditional club fare while applying the artful use of fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch cooking.”

Cobblestone Creek also features one of the area’s premier outdoor tennis facilities. Surrounded by sprawling woods and Cobblestone’s championship golf course, the club offers comprehensive tennis programs which create a perfect blend of fun and competitive activities for all levels of players, from beginner to advanced.

The club also unveils a newly renovated resort-style aquatic facility consisting of an oversized, heated pool; shaded kiddie pool; and adjacent children’s activities center. The beautifully landscaped pool venue includes a gazebo with a Tiki Bar and outdoor grill just steps from the snack bar. Full-menu food service is available from the clubhouse dining facilities.

This fall, Cobblestone Creek Country Club will commence comprehensive renovations to the lower level of its clubhouse which will include new locker rooms, an enhanced fitness center, and the addition of new indoor and outdoor casual dining spaces, including a new pub-style bar. This final phase will be completed in time for the opening of the spring 2019 golf season.

SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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Bat-Caddy -- Leader Never Follows

and within one day shipping time to all major golf facilities throughout the nation and beyond. Its management team has decades of relevant business, manufacturing and engineering experience and is supported by a great team of qualified technical, logistics and customer service staff in every location.

Bat-Caddy electric caddies are second to none and offer a model variation for every golfer, golf course and budget. The product portfolio includes nine models, either remote or • Staying fit, improving overall non-remote controlled. They all share an advanced aerospace aluminum

health & losing weight frame design which is elegant, light

weight, compact, yet durable and easy • Preventing strain on your to handle. The carts are well designed

back, arms & shoulders to and have been continuously refined

improve your swing over the years. They are aesthetically pleasing and available in multiple • Protecting the environment,

the course and speed up game colors.

In 2018, Bat-Caddy introduced the X3 Classic for $299.95. Golfers now • Staying connected have the ability to have the power of with the course performance of an electric caddy for the price of a traditional push cart. It • Preserving the tradition comes with a 12V 22AH SLA battery of walking the course and looks attractive in charcoal gray metallic. Also new is the Bat• Improving your handicap Caddy Sand Dispenser, a wonderful • Saving money by eliminating accessory custom made to fit existing cup holders.

rental cart fees According to Peter Hanneforth, Bat-Caddy has established itself President & Founder: “Our large as the undisputed North American customer base is telling us that one of industry leader. The company is the best features of the Bat-Caddy brand now in its 14th year of successful is that advanced design, innovation, operation with continuous double top quality, superior service and digit growth rates. Unrivaled by any business stability are available at the of its numerous competitors, Bat- most competitive prices. We like to Caddy offers a superior service and keep it that way, since a leader never after-sales support network. It boasts follows!” three main Service Centers which are More in depth information on strategically located throughout the various products and company can US, as a long term distribution partner be found on their website at www. in Toronto, ON Canada. Hence, the batcaddy.com company is present in every time zone

Bat-Caddy electric golf caddies have been showing the way for the motorized golf push cart industry in the US since 2004. Founded on the vision of enabling golfers of all ages, genders and capabilities to walk the course like the Pros with a caddy and without having to push or pull a cart or carry a heavy bag on their shoulders.

Only in this case, the caddy is a robot resulting in multiple benefits for the golfer. Here are some benefits to using the Bat-Caddy:

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LOOKING FOR A GREAT FATHER’S DAY GIFT? A Tour Quality Club Fitting Experience

What can you get a golfer who has almost everything for Father’s Day? How about a Tour-quality custom club fitting experience from Club Champion, the #1 premium club fitter, builder and retailer of the best brands in golf? Their master fitters and builders are unrivaled experts and they offer more than 35,000 head and shaft combinations.

An August 2017 Golf Magazine study found that Club Champion custom fit golfers lowered their scores by three strokes per round and added an average of 22 yards off the tee.According to Golf Magazine, “Many players think they aren’t good enough to be custom fit. But our higher handicappers saw up to 25 more yards with drivers and woods and some shaved 5 to 10 strokes per round.

The results? Fitting matters. Based on data from the TrackMan, Sam PuttLab and SkyCaddies along with tester interviews, it’s clear that correctly matched clubs can help golfers of all kinds.”

In addition to providing fittings from supremely trained master fitters, Club Champion builds the clubs in-house, unlike most other fitters. Variables such

as swing weight, length, lie and flex DO alter performance. The experience and know-how combining these intricate parts together is what separates Club Champion from its competition.

Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 best club fitters eight times in a row, Club Champion’s unique coupling system allows them to combine any head and shaft together. Golfers hit the precise combination to be custom-built for them.

All the top brands are on hand; some like PXG or exclusive premium shafts are simply not available through most other retailers or fitters.

World-renowned instructor David Leadbetter reveals, “It never ceases to amaze me that golfers buy clubs off the shelf and assume they’re right for them.

Whether you’re a great golfer or a casual one, getting a custom club fitting is one of the quickest ways to improve your game.”

If those who do not live near a Club Champion, a great idea is to contact a local pro shop and set up a golf fitting or lessons for Dad. There’s no better gift for Father’s Day!

CONGRATULATIONS LAZZARO & HANSEN YOUNGEST TO WIN NJSGA FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP Brendan Hansen and Randall Lazzaro, both juniors at Christian Brothers Academy, became what is believed to be the youngest twosome to ever win the New Jersey State Golf Association Four-Ball Championship when they defeated top-seeded Edmund Broderick of Shackamaxon and Stephen Ellis of Toms River, 3 and 2, in mid-May at 6,677-yard, par-71 Rumson Country Club in Rumson.

Two years ago, high school seniors Justin Chae and Evan Quinn, both of New Jersey National, took the title, and last year, two college students, Thomas Urciuoli and William Voetsch, both of Baltusrol, were champions.

But Hansen, 18, and Lazzaro, 16, are now believed to be the youngest in the 86-year history of the event.

For Hansen, of Spring Lake, who was third in the State Open last summer, it was his second championship in two years. Last September he won the men’s Tournament of Club Champions at Deal.

NA, ARGUELLES EARN SPOTS INTO U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Grace Na of Alameda, Calif., a fourth-year player on the Symetra Tour, shot four-over-par 72-76-148 to earn medalist honors at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open Championship Sectional Qualifying Round, at the Canoe Brook Country Club (North Course) in Summit. The event was conducted by the NJSGA in association with the USGA. Na was one of two players to earn the right to play in the U.S. Women’s Open, set for May 29-June 3 at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Shoal Creek, Ala. She will be joined by Evelyn Arguelles of Oaxtepec, Mexico, a sophomore at Dallas Baptist University, who parred the first hole in a three-way playoff for players who shot fiveover-par 149. Arguelles (74-75) needed a 20foot par putt on the 18th hole to force her way into the playoff.

Also scoring 149 were Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J., a second-year Symetra Tour player and former All-America at USC, and 16-year-old high school sophomore Jennifer Cleary of Wilmington, Del. Cleary earned the first alternate spot and Chung the second.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018

LPGA SYMETRA TOUR AND VALLEY FORGE TOURISM & CONVENTION BOARD HOST VALLEY FORGE INVITATIONAL AT RAVEN’S CLAW GOLF CLUB Women’s Golf Players, Fans Set Attend Tournament May 24-26 in Pottstown

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (May 4, 2018) -- The inaugural Valley Forge Invitational is coming to Raven’s Claw Golf Club in Pottstown, May 24-26, one of three new events on the Symetra Tour schedule for 2018. Now in its 37th year, the Symetra Tour averages anywhere from 5,00010,000 people in attendance, depending on weather, and publicity. This event is free to the public. This season, 21 events make up the calendar for the official qualifying tour of the LPGA. The Valley Forge Invitational will mark the first professional golf event played on the challenging Ed Shearon-designed course, and the first time the Symetra Tour has played a tournament in the in the Philadelphia region. Since it opened in 2005, Raven’s Claw Golf Club has been a consistent selection on the list of “Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Daily Fee” courses, as selected

by Golfweek.

“Working with the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board has made our welcome to the greater Philadelphia area a fantastic one,” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer for the Symetra Tour. “We hope to build off the great list of sponsors that have already joined in supporting this professional women’s sporting event. We also look forward to adding new corporations that share the vision of further developing the next generation of LPGA Tour standouts.”

The top-10 players on the season-ending Race for the Card money list will be awarded LPGA membership for 2019.

Coming from Charlotte, North Carolina, players on the tour will take on the challenge of one of Montgomery County’s finest public courses, all leading up to the U.S. Women’s Open in Alabama the following week.

The Valley Forge Invitational tournament week will include a Junior Clinic from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the driving range at May 21; May 22 will be player registration from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Clubhouse and then the Meet the Pros Party Tuesday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at SunnyBrook.

Wednesday, May 23 will be the Pro-Am from 7 a.m. to mid-afternoon. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (May 24-26), tee-times start at Hole #1 at 7:00 a.m. each day.

“Having an event of this caliber will have a hugely positive economic impact on Montgomery County and the region,” said President and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Mike Bowman. “Besides highlighting women’s professional golf, the Tour spotlights Raven’s Claw, and the more than 50 other great public courses and private clubs that we have in Montco.”

Local charities, as designated by the PAHWF, that serve the people of Pottstown and residents in seven public school districts within a 10-mile radius of the borough, will be the beneficiary of the funds raised during the tournament.

The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a nonprofit, membership-based sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 400-plus member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Board’s award-winning website, valleyforge.org, serves visitors, meeting planners, tour operators and residents, as well as hosts The Pursuit, a nationally recognized twice-weekly blog.

The Symetra Tour The mission of the Symetra Tour is to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. The Tour has experienced tremendous growth over the last three years. The 2016 season marks the first time that a player will earn over $100,000 (Madelene Sagstrom). It’s also the first time that at least 12 players have earned over $60,000.

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weren’t on the Tour. For example, at the Egg City Open, I came in 2nd and I won five hundred dozen eggs. I owned them for about 10 minutes until I sold them for $500,” he chuckled. His first summer after graduating college in 1972, he went to work for Barbaro again at Hollywood. That year, he lost the State Open in a playoff.

“I tried to qualify for the Tour that fall and got to the finals and missed it, so that winter I went to South Africa and played over there. I was going to try again when I had the accident.”

Back in the 1980’s and 90’s, Walters estimated he would do 90 to 100 shows each year. While that number has come down slightly, this season marks the 41st year of bringing his fascinating, educational and inspiring presentation to audiences around the U.S. “I used to go around in a motor home and cover about 100,000 miles a year. I’ve traveled over 3.5 million miles and have performed more than 3,000 shows in my career. Last year I still wanted to perform and do something positive every day and make a difference, but I wanted to do it a little different way. I went to Chicago for a month, to Westchester County for a month and finally to Cape Cod for month.

I wanted to be busy but have less travel. This year I’m going to Chicago again in June, to Philadelphia for a month in July and to Cape Cod for a month in August,” he explained.

Over the years, he’s had four dogs travel with him. All have been wonderful.

“The one I have now I’ve named after my dad, his name is Bucky. They’ve all be scruffy Terrier mixes from the pound or rescue groups. They’ve all been great and a part of the show.”

Before Bucky, Walters travelled with Benji Hogan, Mulligan was his second dog and his first dog was Muffin. Asked why her name was Muffin, rather than a name associated with golf, he added “because that was her name in the pound and when she came over to me, I said ‘I’m not changing her name.’ ” Walters will become one of just nine people from the world of golf to have received both the Bob Jones Award and the PGA Award. In 2008, Walters received the Distinguished Service Award from the PGA of America. In case you’re wondering, the other eight are in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

According to Walters’ longtime friend and fellow Neptune High School alumnus, Wayne Warms, the long-time teaching professional at Eagle Oaks Golf Club in Farmingdale, the Bob Jones award is richly deserved.

“To me, his story is the greatest story in the history of American golf,” Warms said recently of his friend of more than 50 years.

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“I don’t know anybody who comes close to the level of adversity he has struggled through. He wanted to play on the PGA Tour with every ounce of his body and brain. First he had to get well enough that he could do it and then he had to figure out a way to play, and nobody had done what he did at the time. He was the genesis of golf for challenged people.”

For those interested in watching his inspiring, and entertaining show, Walters will be performing at the Golf House, at the USGA Headquarters in Far Hills, on July 24th.

Advertise in Golfer’s Tee Times editor@njgolfnews.com

continued from page 4

to playing Triple A ball. The PGA Tour also bought out a tour in Canada and a tour in Latin America and they also have something running in China and those tours feed into the Web.com Tour. So if you’re not successful at Q school via the Web.com Tour, most guys will go play the PGA Tour Canada or Latin America in hopes of working their way up the Web.com Tour.

There are other mini tours in Florida that you can play, and you put up your $200 and you’re playing for a $1,000. I’m not trying to belittle these guys that run these tours, but basically it’s organized gambling. You’re not necessarily going anywhere with your career. There used to be the Hooters tour, the Buy.com tour, the Nationwide Tour and now they’ve just changed the major sponsor, now it’s the Web.com. The purses used to be pretty significant and there used to be at least 20 events so you could go out and make a living doing that. Now the PGA Tour has created these other tours in Canada and Latin America. People graduate from there to the Web.com Tour. I played in Canada for two years right out of college. The money is not as significant, but the tournaments are all run top-notch.

GTT: You turned pro and got out of college in 2014?

RM: Yes, both. I actually went to qualifying school while I was still in school and

finished somewhere around 10th, so I turned pro at the first event in Canada, which was in Vancouver.

I’ve played in three Web.com events so far this year, and I finished 11th in Savannah a few weeks ago [April, 2018,] and I made just over $12,000.

GTT: How were your earnings on the Asian tour last year?

RM: I don’t remember, it could be posted on the website, they just built a new one for Web.com Tour, but I would say earnings were somewhere around $20,000 last year.

GTT: That’s excellent, considering all the flying you had to do, just to get to the gig!High and low points of your travels on the Asian Tour?

RM: I felt like I aged about three or four years with all that travel. I spent time stuck in airports, but my best finish of the year was in Macou, I finished 24th. I was flying over there for events and then flying back to New Jersey. I was making the cut and then finishing like 50th, and a lot of guys would say that’s not really fun. Then on top of that, sitting on a plane for 16 hours and switching planes and sitting on another one for 7 hours, you have a lot of time to think about what’s going wrong and what you can do better.

GTT: This week’s Northern Mississippi Classic has a significant purse, no?

RM: I think purses have been pretty stagnant for a while, $550,000 is pretty average. Some of the bigger ones have $800,000 purses.

GTT: Anything else you’d like to add about your situation and the members at Suburban Golf Club?

RM: It’s more than a few people that have been helping me out. They’ve been phenomenal, really through college and then as I’ve been a pro, supporting me and letting me play and practice out of there.

I can’t thank them enough for what they do for me and really for my family as well. [McCormick’s family includes his father, Suburban head pro Mark, his mother, Linda, and younger brother Mark.] When I’m home I play a lot of golf with members there.

I’m basically on the road 40 weeks of the year. When I’m not, I’m usually home sleeping in New Jersey or I’ve got some friends in the area that I’ll see and stay with for a bit.

GTT: Thank you Mark for your time today. Good luck with everything.

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Keeping the Tradition of Golf Alive

By Lowell Schmidt, The Jersey Golfer

Ever wonder what happened to all those antique golf collectors? Unfortunately there are less and less of them,possibility because today’s younger generation is more interested in high tech gadgets and have little interest inthe finely crafted golf clubs and other relics from past generations.

Years ago, there was nothing better than finding a classic persimmon driver or a fairway wood.

Whether atan antique shop, estate sale or perhaps personally knowing a local clubmaker, there was nothing better than inspecting the workmanship that it took to produce these fine quality products.Back then, the clubmaker’s skill was finding the right piece of persimmon or maple and carefully shaping it. That was followed by placing in a sole plate, weights, and finished off with coats of stain and shellacking. Today, talented engineers work for large golf corporations and produce computer-designed and generated clubs. Clubs are mostly mass produced overseas and are lighter, easier to swing and make the ball go much further than in the old days. Way back, who would have thought that some one would buy a driver for $500 just be to able to say it makes the ball go further.

Now it’s commonplace. When it came to the irons, even those were forged by hand and later investment casting. The shafts had to be glued and pinned in. Today they just epoxy them together. The collectors of today are looking for logo balls, old photographs, autographed flag pennants and hats. Only a handful of collectors are left that actually collect old golf equipment or books, and for the most part, when looking for something old in golf, the go-to-shop has become Amazon. The good news in that the USGA and PGA of America still realize the importance of investing in these older golf items.

Recently, the USGA announced they had acquired an important collection of historic golf material, including rare books, periodicals, travelogues, diaries, political and legal documents dating to the 1500s, has found a new home at the USGA Golf Museum, thanks to a continuing working relationship with the PGA of America. The Colonel R. Otto Probst Library, managed by the PGA of America for more than 40 years, has merged with the USGA’s extensive library collection, in a collaborative effort that enhances the world’s largest and most comprehensive golf library open to the public. The Probst Library was developed by South Bend, Indiana-

based golf collector Colonel R. Otto Probst, whose passion for the game was kindled in the early 1920s with the acquisition of his first golf artifact. Topics explored through the wide-ranging collection include golf instruction, golf club histories, architecture, equipment, fiction, women in golf, travel, humor, literature and poetry.

Several pieces explore Scottish history and its relationship to golf.

“The Probst Collection adds depth and richness to the USGA’s library, providing incredible insight into the game’s cultural and historic evolution,” said Rand Jerris, USGA senior managing director of Public Services.

“We are grateful to Colonel Probst and the PGA for cultivating this treasure trove of information, which we can immediately share with fans who love and play the game worldwide.” Today, the USGA Library in Far Hills, NJ is the world’s foremost repository for the game’s history.

Books and periodicals in more than 20 languages cover all aspects of the game. Other areas of collecting include sheet music, dissertations, scrapbooks and over 30,000 scorecards from golf clubs worldwide. The Library also contains the personal papers of some of the game’s greatest personalities (including Bob Jones and Walter Travis) and is home to the USGA/PGAAfricanAmerican Archive of Golf History.

So while it might be hard to get a millennial interested in collecting the relics of golf, luckily for us, many traditions and words of the past are being kept alive by the Golf Collectors Society and USGA right here in Far Hills, New Jersey.

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Heard Around the States Hidden Creek again named to Golfweek’s Best 100 Modern Courses in the U.S. for 2018 Hidden Creek Golf Club has been named as one of “America’s 100 Best Modern Courses” by Golfweek Magazine for the 15th consecutive year. Hidden Creek was ranked 77th on the 2018 list of the nation’s best modern day courses, defined as those built since 1960. The list was published in the April 2018 edition of the magazine in the annual feature entitled “Golfweek’s Best.” Hidden Creek was one of only four New Jersey golf courses to make the list.

A private club located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Hidden Creek was designed by the renowned tandem of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. They are regarded by many in the industry as the preeminent golf architects in the world today. Twelve of the Top 100 on Golfweek’s list were Coore and Crenshaw designs, including two of the top three…Sand Hills Golf Club, in Mullen, Nebraska, ranked number one among modern U.S. courses, and Friar’s Head, in Baiting Hollow, NY, ranked number three.

Opened in 2002, Hidden Creek ranked third among private golf clubs in the U. S. in Golf World’s inaugural Reader’s Choice Awards in 2008, behind only the fabled Augusta National and Pine Valley Golf Clubs. In 2003, Hidden Creek was ranked 72nd on GOLF Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Courses in the United States.”

Hidden Creek was selected by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to host the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, which was held from September 26 through October 1, 2015. Hidden Creek has also been selected by the USGA to host a U.S. Open qualifier in 2018. The club was also the site of several previous U.S. Open qualifiers, including U.S. Women’s Open qualifiers in 2017 and 2004, a U.S. Open qualifier in 2014, and a U.S. Senior Open qualifier in 2004.

“We are very proud and honored to have earned this distinction for the 15th consecutive year,” said Hidden Creek owner Roger Hansen. “This continuing recognition from Golfweek’s raters validates the exceptional feedback we continue to receive from the USGA and the playing competitors during the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 2015. We are committed to working diligently on behalf of our members to maintain and elevate the high standards that are associated with such a prestigious honor.”

Golfweek’s 22nd annual rankings were determined by a panel of several

hundred course raters. They rendered their judgement based on 10 standards of evaluation, including ease and intimacy of routing, quality of feature shaping, natural setting and overall land plan, interest of greens and surrounding contours, variety and memorability of par 3s, variety and memorability of par 4s, variety and memorability of par 5s, basic quality of conditioning, landscape and tree management, and “walk in the park” test.

Results of the Blue Devil Invitational high school golf tournament at the Echo Lake Country Club, Westfield TEAM SCORES: 1-North Hunterdon 389. 2-Westfield 402. 3-Blair 403. 4-Oratory 405, Cranford 405. 6-Scotch Plains-Fanwood 407. 7-Montclair 409, Morristown-Beard 409. 9-Hunterdon Central 424.

INDIVIDUALS: 1-Erik Stevens, North Hunterdon, 75. 2-Dalton Van Esseltyn, North Hunterdon, 77; Christian Ruchalski, St. Rose, 77; Jimmy Bagdonas, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 77. 5-Brian Cardace, North Hunterdon, 78; Mike Kochanowski, North Hunterdon, 78; Sean Taylor, Westfield, 78; Jason Lee, Westfield, 78;

The North Hunterdon golf team with head coach Kirk Hissner.

S O D U K U P U Z Z L E

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Heard Around the States U.S. Junior Amateur at Baltusrol in July For the 61st time, a golf club in New Jersey will host a USGA championship this summer when the US Junior Amateur is contested at the famed Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield this July.

A field of 156 players will tee it up on both the Upper and Lower Courses at Baltusrol from July 16-21. The US Junior Amateur is open to any male competitor who has not reached his 19th birthday as of July 21st and whose handicap index does not exceed 4.4.

The entire field will play stroke play for the first two days alternating each day between the two courses. The field will be cut to the top 64 players, who will then proceed to play match play until an eventual champion is crowned. All match play will occur on the Upper Course.

It will be the third time the US Junior Amateur will be played in New Jersey.

The first was played at Echo Lake Country Club in 1994 and the other time at Trump National –Bedminister in 2009. Jordan Spieth won the championship in 2009.

There will be sectional qualifiers held around the country in June – locally at Shackamaxon Golf Club in Scotch Plains, NJ.

New Owners, New Look at Linwood Country Club

By Andrea Stuart

After 98 years, Linwood Country Club has been sold to the Dougherty family, the owners and operators of three well-known Atlantic City restaurants. The private club, originally opened in 1920, has been owned directly by its members since the 1940’s. Brothers Frank and Joe Dougherty fourth-generation owners of the landmark Dock’s Oyster House, which their great grandfather opened in 1897, are no strangers to century-old buildings or businesses. The family also owns and operates the iconic Knife & Fork Inn, originally opened in 1912, as well as Harry’s Oyster Bar, which is located at Bally’s in what was once the Dennis Hotel.

David Gardner, Board President, said the Board “chose the Doughertys because of their highly successful experience in the restaurant industry, respect for the history and traditions of the club, and clear vision for the club’s future.” This will be the family’s first off-shore venture.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been extensive renovations occurring at the golf club including a new ballroom, an updated dining room, a new sports bar, an outdoor bar, outdoor patio with fire pit, bridal suite and revamped food and beverage options.

Members can now “surf the turf” on a GolfBoard – the first and only substantive, surf-inspired, motorized golf vehicle built specifically for the sport. Linwood is the only club in the South Jersey area to have these for their members.

For those who don’t know, a GolfBoard is an easy-to-ride electric powered AWD board that adds a new element of fun and excitement for golfers of all ages and athletic ability.

And finally, the golf professional staff has changed. After 17 years as Director of Golf Operations at Sea Oaks Golf Club, Jeffrey Bonicky is now the new head golf professional at Linwood. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 28 years in the golf industry.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this historic club and look forward to getting to know all of the members,” said Bonicky. “My direct goal is getting members excited and more involved by enhancing the already existing programs and events, while coming up with new activities for all ages. I want to help create a culture that is fresh and fun.”

Transformation Underway at The Shore Club Clubhouse, Course Renovations in Progress, New Family-Oriented Programs to Debut This Season The Shore Club, formerly Wildwood Golf & Country Club, recently announced that clubhouse, course, and grounds renovations are in full swing with a modernized facility being readied to greet members and guests this spring.

Expanded golf programs, social events, and memberships will also be introduced, as this historic facility transforms into a revitalized private golf club for the entire family.

Phase I of The Shore Club’s makeover includes the refurbishment of the clubhouse lobby and Grand Ballroom. The updated lobby features new paint, wainscoting, and furniture that projects the club’s relaxed yet trendy atmosphere.

Members and guests will also enjoy a fully updated Grand Ballroom that boasts fresh paint and wainscoting; sparkling chandeliers and

champagne-colored Chiavari chairs; newly installed crown molding with L.E.D. cove lighting; and a contemporary bar with a gleaming quartz top, and subtle backlighting.

“The new Shore Club aims to give couples that memorable special event experience at a great value,” said The Shore Club’s Director of Marketing & Events Amanda Ruhl.

The Shore Club is also embarking on an extensive bunker restoration project on its celebrated Wayne Stiles/John Van Kleek-designed golf course and will reintroduce a caddie program with CaddieNow.com; something that hasn’t happened at the club in over 50 years. The club will also complement its already popular event and Tournament schedule with enhanced Juniors, Ladies, and Family programs.

Under the direction of long-time PGA Director of Golf Fred Riedel and his professional staff, the club will offer an extended Junior Golf Summer Program featuring multi-hour, twice weekly instructional sessions. Juniors of all skill levels are welcome and will receive video instruction, TrackMan basics, and rules and etiquette sessions all while having fun with their friends. The Junior Summer Golf Program is open to both members and non-members with individual instruction also available.

“By including children and grandchildren with all Full and Intermediate Memberships, we have set the stage for our already great family environment to go off the charts,” said Riedel. “It’s a very exciting time at The Shore Club, and we are looking forward to an amazing season.”

Summer Family Golf Nights are on tap at the club this season as well as an expanded Ladies Program. A new, six-week Ladies Spring Tune-Up is being introduced as well as multiple Ladies Nights in which members and nonmembers play nine holes followed by Happy Hour in The Shore Club’s recently renovated McKissic’s Pub. In 2018, new events will debut on The Shore Club’s already busy social calendar. A Memorial Day Family BBQ with games and activities will kick off the season. Adults will enjoy a new Vino & Van Gogh—Paint & Sip night on June 20, while younger members will have a Kids Only Art Party on July 1. Throughout the summer, members and guests will relax and unwind with live entertainment on The Shore Club patio, and popular events like Dueling Pianos will return.

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Let Atlantic City your Way Plan Your Next Getaway

By Sean Fawcett

Spring is a fantastic time of year for golf in New Jersey and Atlantic City is truly a premier golf destination. One of the best ways to book a golfing vacation in the Atlantic City region is with Atlantic City Your Way. They provide vacation packages of the city, including all types of sports and entertainment. Lodging, dining, sightseeing and recreation options are tailored to fit any kind of vacation and group size.

Combining two formerly independent Atlantic City golf packagers, Golf AC and Atlantic City Golf Vacations, Atlantic City Your Way(http://atlanticcityyourway. com) merges the reliability and resources of two of the most experienced and highly regarded Atlantic City golf vacation package providers into one newer, larger, one-stop Atlantic City vacation and entertainment planning company.

AC Tours and Entertainment, LLC was founded in 1999 by Mike Charlton.

It was then known at AC Tours and Entertainment, LLC. They eventually evolved to become Atlantic City Your Way, LLC and are Atlantic City’s largest Leisure Travel Vacation Provider.

Golfing options include some of the best, and most historic, golf venues at the Shore. Golf is available at historic Atlantic City Country Club, founded in 1897 and also known as “birthplace of the birdie”, and founded in 1897.

Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, in the seaside town of Galloway, hosts the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic presented

by Acer and boasts its Bay Course which is also more than a hundred years old. The course was the site of Sam Snead’s first major championship victory, the 1942 PGA Championship. Other participating golf courses include Ballamor Golf Club,

Scotland Run Golf Club, Blue Heron Pines and a wide of array of other local courses.

Hospitality specialists Shannon Ott and Chris Martin each have more than a decade’s experience in packaging golf vacations. Ott began working for Golf AC in 2008 after working for more than a decade at the Resorts Casino. Martin is a PGA Golf Professional, originally from Westchester County, New York. Their combined knowledge of the golf and hospitality industries will provide you with great unique insight and help you maximizing your stay in the Atlantic City area.

“The beauty of coming to Atlantic City is that we are within a three hour drive of 35 million people,” said Martin. “ For those golf groups that cannot commit to a seven day trip to Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Pinehurst or other destinations, or do not want the extra expense and time involved in flying to a golf destination, they can all meet in Atlantic City and we tailor every trip to their needs. A typical two night getaway, including three rounds of golf, starts as low as $250 per person.”

“We handle every facet of your reservation and offer things other destinations do not,” said Charleton. “We have the technology to add meals (5 Iron Chef restaurants in AC), entertainment, fishing tours, and limousine rides at night. Without having to worry about the details, you can spend more time practicing and enjoying for your golf trip and less time planning it.”

The best way to learn more about their exciting packages is by visiting the website, http://atlanticcityyourway.com/ about-us/ and plan your next vacation right here in New Jersey!

We are the Atlantic City Golf Travel Experts off erin g the guaranteed lowest rates!

Atlantic City Golf Vacations is your one stop shop for golf vacations and tee times in Atlantic City, NJ. Toll Free (800) 465-3222 or www.acgolfvacations.com

ATLANTIC CITY GOLF VACATIONS PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS HERE TO MAKE YOUR GOLF TRIP HASSLE FREE AND SIMPLE WITH A VARIETY OF GOLF COURSE AND LODGING OPTIONS.

Go to acgolfvacations.com: -Select your dates of travel -Select your courses and preferred tee times -Choose from 30 casino/non-casino hotels or private homes Call (800) 465-3222 or e-mail chris@acgolfvacations.com so you can spend more time practicing for your golf trip and less time planning it!

TOURIST DESTINATIONS ACROSS 1. Dog show outcasts 6. Pose a question 9. Mr. Potato Head, e.g.

13. ____ tower 14. Holstein sound 15. Liable to cry 16. Was rebroadcasted 17. Pilot’s deadline 18. Packers QB 19. *Where ATMs have instructions in Latin 21. Army bathroom 23. Surf turf 24. “At ____, soldier!”

25. Pat 28. University head 30. Pre-wedding agreement 35. Caspian Sea river 37. Like the fairy tale duckling 39. Pore in a leaf 40. Hindu Mr. 41. Intrudes 43. Month before Nisan 44. Perpendicular to the keel 46. “Pronto!”

47. Highway hauler 48. Magazine collection 50. Bike maker 52. Bro’s counterpart 53. Start of a conclusion 55. Look through a scope 57. *Popular all-inclusive location, pl.

61. *Where to visit “the happiest place on Earth” 65. Yokel’s holler 66. Crematorium jar 68. Dip a ____ ____ the water 69. General direction 70. Be indisposed 71. Jagged 72. Trees on Freddy Krueger’s street 73. Spade for stony ground 74. Roller derby turf, pl.

DOWN 1. Type of nuclear missile 2. Eye layer 3. Legal wrong 4. *Orient Express, e.g.

5. On the same page 6. Echoed by the flock 7. Chronic drinker 8. *Down Under marsupial 9. Scorch 10. ____wig or ____winkle 11. *Middle name of Shakespeare’s hometown 12. Unit of force 15. *Taking the ____, or going to BadenBaden 20. Consumed 22. Pharaoh’s cobra 24. Joins the military 25. *Location of world’s tallest building 26. Omani and Yemeni 27. “____ in Toyland” 29. *Where to see Taj Mahal 31. #17 Across, pl.

32. Source of lymphocytes, pl.

33. Savory sensation 34. *Chunnel ride from London 36. *Party in Maui 38. *Sydney Harbour is one of first to ring in the new one 42. Ancient fishing tool 45. Modus operandi 49. Female pronoun 51. In working order 54. Run-of-the-mill 56. Native New Zealander 57. Memory unit 58. Nobleman’s title 59. Throat-clearing sound 60. Flipside of pros 61. Unrivaled 62. *Vegas light 63. Floppy storage 64. Change for a five 67. *Home to Christ the Redeemer

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SPRING/SUMMER 2018